Bruce Lunsford on Energy & Oil

Democratic Senate challenger

Expand drilling; draw strategic reserve; plus alternatives

Republican incumbent Sen. Mitch McConnell touched on the debate over domestic oil drilling, which has been a hot-button issue in the campaign for US Senate. "In order to solve this problem, we have to do everything.
We have to both find more and use less," said McConnell, the Senate's top-ranking Republican. McConnell also mentioned coal-to-liquid fuels, nuclear technology and even electric cars. "We're not too many years away from the time when we'll be plugging in
our cars and trucks for the night," he said.

Bruce Lunsford said his energy plan includes expanded drilling, alternative fuels and drawing from the nation's strategic petroleum reserve to lower gas prices. Lunsford said
Republicans are pushing for expanded drilling because it is favored by the oil industry. "What the Republicans have done led by Mitch McConnell is they have been industry-driven for every solution, because that's who butters their bread," Lunsford said.

Drill for oil in ANWR & offshore, as one of many things

Lunsford said yesterday that he is open to allowing oil exploration in Alaska and offshore areas but believes other steps should be taken before that happens.

Lunsford declined to say whether he would vote to lift federal bans on such exploration. "I
think we have plenty of places offshore, and we have spots in (the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska) but it needs to be done judiciously," he said. "But I do think we need to drill for oil. It's one of the many things we can do here."

The price of gas--currently around $4 a gallon--and how to bring it down has become the key issue early in Kentucky's Senate race and other federal campaigns around the country. Lunsford said he favors eight actions to reduce the cost of oil--many of
them in step with Democratic talking points nationally. But yesterday he strayed from the party line, and his own eight-point plan, to say that he favors drilling in the two areas that have remained off-limits because of environmental concerns.

Double oil production by developing 70M federal acres

I support legislation recently proposed by Rep. John Yarmuth. His creative solution to increase domestic oil production will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and hold Big Oil accountable for failing to develop nearly
70 million acres of federal land they're not using. This could double domestic oil production if tapped. It's time we hold Big Oil accountable for their actions...or inactions in this case.

Work towards energy independence

America's dependence on foreign oil is a national security issue as much as it is an environmental challenge.
We must focus more on homegrown alternative sources of energy, but it will take real leadership and long-term thinking in Washington to bring change.

Source: Campaign website, www.bruce2008.com, "Issues"
Jun 3, 2008

Develop clean coal technologies

It is smart policy to bring together the Kentucky coal industry, the EPA, and research institutions right here in Kentucky to develop clean coal technologies. This new high-tech twist on a Kentucky economic tradition will bring new high-paying jobs to
an industry that already employs tens of thousands of Kentuckians.

America's dependence on foreign oil is a national security issue as much as it is an environmental challenge. We must focus more on homegrown alternative sources of energy.

Source: Campaign website, www.bruce2008.com, "Issues"
May 2, 2008

Set standards for fuel efficiency in cars and buildings

Kentucky deserves a Senator who is committed to making vehicles more fuel-efficient. We can achieve this by setting achievable, long-term standards for fuel efficiency in vehicles and
energy efficiency in building design and equipment. We can protect jobs and the environment at the same time.